Sarah Beeny loses battle with planners in property row at ‘mini Downton Abbey’ estate
SARAH Beeny has lost her fight with planners to extend a farmhouse on her “mini Downton Abbey” estate.
Sarah and artist husband Graham Swift submitted revised plans for the the farmhouse four years after being ordered to demolish it.
The Property Ladder presenter – who has spent her career transforming ramshackle properties – wanted to add an extension instead of getting rid of the building altogether.
And she stunned officials by ignoring the demolition order and applying to extend the farmhouse four years after agreeing to demolish it – with her application now denied.
The council has now refused to reverse her original demolition order.
And Sarah’s plans to effectively keep the farmhouse by adding a first floor balcony and new French doors have been thrown out.
A Council report on the matter has said: “It was considered that the new dwelling was only acceptable in principle subject to the applicants entering into a planning obligation, which ensured that the farmhouse would be demolished within three months of the occupation of the new dwelling.
“However, despite the clear requirements under the agreement, the applicant failed to provide the specified 20 working days’ notice of occupancy to the council, and moreover neglected to demolish the original farmhouse.
“This was considered fundamental to the granting of planning permission of the new dwelling and therefore constitutes a significant breach (both in planning and legal terms).”
Sarah bought the estate for £3million in 2018 and her New Life in the Country series has been charting its extensive renovation.
Earlier this year, she scrapped plans to turn two barns into four new homes after a furious row with locals.
Half a dozen locals objected to the proposed development, accusing her of “riding roughshod” over planning laws.
They also said she had “blatantly ignored” an enforcement notice ordering her to remove earth banks built without planning permission.
The property expert could also be forced to tear down an “alpine winter wonderland” treehouse built without planning permission.
The Sun has contacted Sarah Beeny for comment.